Real Life.

When the USS Voyager was pulled across the galaxy by the Caretaker Array, each person on the ship left a family member behind. All but one that is. As a hologram the Doctor had no family to lose; yet he still wanted to find out what it would be like if he did. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Colin Higgins, and Lorrie Sears to discuss the Doctor’s grand family experiment in “Real Life.” Along the way we also find out how a classic 20th Century song inspired Tom Paris to fly into space eddies, how Janeway deals with windy dangers, and ponder the Delta Quadrant’s bovine deficiency.

In news we look at the TNG Season Four Blu-ray set, new reviews and alternate poster artwork for the TOS films from CromeYellow.com and artist Matt Ferguson, Star Trek-themed checks from Checks In the Mail, the Star Trek Into Darkness world premiere tour, two new teasers from the film, and Paramount’s UK “Where’s Scotty?” promotion. Plus, we reveal what buttons we’d want on our Captain’s chair and find out how the Into Darkness scuba suits were inspired by Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Trials and Tribble-ations.

When the 30th Anniversary of Star Trek rolled around in 1996, the creative teams of both Deep Space Nine and Voyager were charged with the task of paying homage with a special episode. Inspired by the revolutionary techniques of Forrest Gump, the DS9 writers set out to pen a story that would insert Sisko and his crew into the middle of one of the franchise’s most iconic episodes—“The Trouble with Tribbles.” The result was one of the most memorable moments in Star Trek history. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing, Charlynn Schmiedt, and Larry Nemecek for a look at the making of “Trials and Tribble-ations.” Larry’s firsthand experience on the set delivers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what truly is a Valentine to Trek.

In news we look at the debut of TNG HD on iTunes and Amazon Instant Video, a reunion of the full principal cast of Enterprise for the upcoming Season Two Blu-ray release, TV Guide’s 60th Anniversary commemorative covers, Dayton Ward’s picks for 10 of the best Star Trek audiobooks, Cumberbatch talking about John Harrison’s motives, and some of the new Star Trek Into Darkness poster art including spotlight’s on Uhura, Spock, and the Enterprise, plus a Tumblr-inspired Cinemosaic poster. We also reveal our own pick for the most influential TV series of the 1980s… and we think you already know what it is.

The Inner Light.

Every once in a while Star Trek hits on a story that is just great science fiction, a story that works even if all the elements unique to the series are removed. That’s what Morgan Gendel delivered in his touching story about Picard’s life as a man named Kamin on the planet Kataan. “The Inner Light” won TNG one of its two Hugo Awards, and for good reason. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Colin Higgins, Matthew Rushing, and Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss this fan favourite, what it reveals about the inner workings of Picard’s mind, and the many layers of family and society that make up the 25 minutes of unconsciousness that saw a lifetime pass for Jean Luc.

In news we reflect on First Contact Day and the likelihood of real-life first contact by 2063, discuss Scott Bakula’s comments about the possible fifth season of Enterprise on Netflix, William Shatner and the Texas Lottery, a 3-D version of the Russian Star Trek Into Darkness trailer, a sneak peak at the recording of the Into Darkness score with composer Michael Giacchino, get excited about Alice Eve and the audiobook version of the movie novelisation, and we share our thoughts on Countdown to Darkness #4 and how it sets up the movie. Plus, we reveal why Tuvok might be wearing a kimono in the near future.

This Side of Paradise.

We all strive for happiness, but true contentment is difficult to achieve—and perhaps for good reason. A group of Federation colonists found just that, however, when Berthold radiation-hungry flowers gave them complete joy… with no side effects. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by John Champion of Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast and Kate Walsh to discuss the classic TOS episode “This Side of Paradise,” the roles of happiness and strife in the evolution of society, the parallels between the spores and drug addiction, whether or not this episode was a response to the growing hippie movement of the 1960s, and how mint juleps make you more and more Southern by the sip.

In news we remember set decorator James Mees, find out what role Marina Sirtis will be playing on NCIS, and we relive the epic fight between Kirk and the Gorn—this time with pillows. We also discuss the possibility of Netflix bringing Enterprise back for a fifth season, IDW’s comic sequel After Darkness, and check out Empire’s May 2013 J.J. Abrams issue and fold-out Into Darkness cover. Oh… we also come to terms with the fact that Lefler won’t be making us obey her laws after all and unveil Star Trek: The Next Generation’s long lost Easter episode.